Whirlpool WHES48 operation manual Routine Maintenance, Adding Salt, Breaking a Salt Bridge

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Routine Maintenance

ADDING SALT

Lift the salt hole cover and check the salt storage level frequently. If the water softener uses all the salt before you refill it, you will experience hard water. Until you have established a refilling routine, check the salt every two or three weeks. Always add if less than 1/4 full. Be sure the brinewell cover is on.

NOTE: If using potassium chloride (KCl), do not fill above level 4 on the brinewell decal.

NOTE: In humid areas, it is best to keep the salt stor- age level lower, and to refill more often to avoid salt “bridging”.

Recommended Salt: Nugget, pellet or coarse solar salts with less than 1% impurities.

Salt Not Recommended: Rock salt, high in impurities, block, granulated, table, ice melting, ice cream making salts, etc.

BREAKING A SALT BRIDGE

Sometimes, a hard crust or salt “bridge” forms in the brine tank. It is usually caused by high humidity or the wrong kind of salt. When the salt “bridges,” an empty space forms between the water and the salt. Then, salt will not dissolve in the water to make brine. Without brine, the resin bed is not recharged and hard water will result.

If the storage tank is full of salt, it is difficult to tell if you have a salt bridge. A bridge may be underneath loose salt. Take a broom handle, or like tool, and hold it next to the water softener. Measure the distance from the floor to the rim of the water softener. Then, gently push the broom handle straight down into the salt. If a hard object is felt before the pencil mark is even with the top, it is most likely a salt bridge. Gently push into the bridge in several places to break it. Do not use any sharp or pointed objects as you may puncture the brine tank. Do not try to break the salt bridge by pounding on the outside of the salt tank. You may damage the tank.

Push Tool into

Salt Bridge to

Break

1” - 2”

Pencil

Salt

Salt

Mark

Bridge

 

Broom

Water

Handle

Level

FIG. 79

CLEANING THE NOZZLE & VENTURI

A clean nozzle & venturi (See Figure 80) is a necessity for the water softener to work properly. This small component creates the suction to move brine from the brine tank, into the resin tank. If it should become plugged with sand, silt, dirt, etc., the water softener will not work, and hard water will result.

Cap

 

O-ring Seal

 

Screen Support

 

Screen

*Flow Plug

Nozzle & Venturi Disc

Cone Screen

Gasket

*Flow Plug (HVDC)

 

Housing

 

*Install with lettered side up, concave

side down.

IMPORTANT: Be sure small hole in the gasket is cen- tered directly over the small hole in the nozzle & ven- turi housing. Be sure the numbers are facing up

FIG. 80

To get access to the nozzle & venturi, remove the water softener’s top cover. Put the bypass valve(s) into the bypass position. Be sure the water softener is in soft water (service) cycle (no water pressure at noz- zle & venturi). Then, holding the nozzle & venturi housing with one hand, unscrew the cap. Do not lose the o-ring seal. Lift out the screen support and screen. Then, remove the nozzle & venturi disc, gasket and flow plug(s). Wash the parts in warm, soapy water and rinse in fresh water. Be sure to clean both the top and bottom of the nozzle & venturi disc. If needed, use a small brush to remove iron or dirt. Do not scratch, misshape, etc., surfaces of the nozzle & ven- turi.

Gently replace all parts in the correct order. Lubricate the o-ring seal with silicone grease and locate in place. Install and tighten the cap by hand, while supporting the housing. Overtightening may break the cap or housing. Put the bypass valve(s) into service (soft water) position.

Recharge the softener to reduce water level in the tank. This will also assure that the softener is com- pletely recharged and ready to provide softened water again. Check the water level in the tank by looking down the brinewell. If the water level does not drop after a recharge, the problem has not been resolved. Call 1-866-986-3223, Monday - Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, EST.

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Contents Model WHES48 Water Softener Warranty Model WHES48 Salt Storage Capacity 200 lbs Specifications & DimensionsYour safety and the safety of others are very important Water Softener SafetySediment Inspect ShipmentWater Conditioning Information IronPlumbing Codes Installation RequirementsProper Order to Install Water Treatment Equipment Location RequirementsInlet / Outlet Plumbing Options Valve Drain RequirementsTypical Installation Installation InstructionsMove the Water Softener Into Place Install the Brine Tank Overflow ElbowTurn OFF Water Supply Complete Inlet and Outlet Plumbing Install Valve Drain HoseInstall Salt Storage Tank Overflow Hose Plug in the Water Softener Sanitize the Water Softener / Sanitize After ServiceTest for Leaks ADD Water and Salt to the Salt Storage TankTouch Screen Water Softener SetupSetup Procedure Programming Your E-Z Touch Water Softener SET Contrast SET LanguageSET Recharge Time Recharge ButtonRecharge NOW SET Time Setup ButtonSchedule a Recharge SET Iron Level SET HardnessInfo Information Button Retrieving Information from Water Softener Management SystemSET Clean Time Customizing Features / OptionsSET Clean Feature SET Salt Type SET Salt EfficiencyHardness Units Volume UnitsSET Units Time FormatRestore Factory Settings Power Outage MemoryBreaking a Salt Bridge Routine MaintenanceCleaning the Nozzle & Venturi Adding SaltChecking the Turbine TroubleshootingAutomatic Electronic Diagnostics Other Initial DiagnosticsManualadvance Regeneration Check Softener Exploded View PWA Softener Parts ListValve Exploded View Valve Parts List

WHES48 specifications

The Whirlpool WHES48 is an advanced water softener designed to provide exceptional water quality for both residential and commercial applications. This model stands out in the market due to its effective water treatment capabilities and user-friendly features.

One of the primary characteristics of the WHES48 is its high capacity, which can handle up to 48,000 grains, making it ideal for large families or homes with significant water usage. This capacity allows for efficient removal of hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause scale buildup in plumbing and appliances. By softening the water, the WHES48 helps to extend the lifespan of faucets, water heaters, and other fixtures, providing significant savings over time.

The WHES48 features a modern demand-initiated regeneration system that optimizes salt and water usage. This technology ensures that regeneration only occurs when necessary, reducing waste and conserving resources. The system monitors water consumption patterns, meaning it regenerates during off-peak hours, further enhancing efficiency.

Another significant advantage of the Whirlpool WHES48 is its user-friendly digital control panel. This intuitive interface allows users to easily program the system for their specific needs and provides a clear display of water usage data, remaining salt levels, and system status. Additionally, the softener is equipped with a bypass valve, allowing homeowners to direct hard water to their taps if ever needed.

Installation is a straightforward process, thanks to the compact design and included installation kit. The WHES48 can fit comfortably in most spaces, making it a versatile option for various home layouts.

The Whirlpool WHES48 also emphasizes low maintenance, with a self-cleaning feature that reduces the need for frequent servicing. It uses food-grade salt, making it safe for households with children and pets.

In summary, the Whirlpool WHES48 is a robust and efficient water softener offering advanced features like high capacity, demand-initiated regeneration, and user-friendly monitoring. Combined with its low maintenance requirements, this model serves as an excellent investment for anyone seeking to improve their home’s water quality and protect their plumbing systems.
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